Date/Time
Date(s) - 12th Jul 2024 - 14th Aug 2024
11:30 am - 8:00 pm

Location
Diesel Art Gallery

Categories

• Exhibitions - TOM & Friends

VENUE INFORMATION

Special Exhibition Celebrates 40th Anniversary of Tom of Finland Foundation at Diesel Art Gallery
First showing in Japan of TOM House – The VR Experience, a VR work that immerses visitors in the world of Tom of Finland

Diesel Art Gallery is pleased to present Forty Years of Pride, an exhibition by Tom of Finland Foundation from Friday 12th July through Wednesday 14th August. The exhibition celebrates the 40th anniversary of Tom of Finland Foundation, a pioneering organization in LGBTQ+ art. In addition to the exhibition of Tom of Finland’s iconic works, the exhibition will also feature a virtual reality work TOM House – The VR Experience, a visual and audio journey that allows visitors to immerse themselves into the world of Tom.

TOM HOUSE VR (Tom’s Room) image by Marton Jelinko © Donkey Hotel

Tom of Finland’s depictions of muscular, free-spirited men boldly confronted the social prejudices of his time and taught many people the meaning of courage and self-expression. His art  increased the confidence and pride of the community and has had a profound impact in the LGBTQ+ movement around the world. His influence has touched artists such as Freddie Mercury, Andy Warhol, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Tom Ford, Helmut Lang, Robert Mapplethorpe, Bruce Weber, and many others. The Forty Years of Pride exhibition provides an opportunity to understand the impact of Tom of Finland on the contemporary art scene, in social consciousness, and how his message resonates with so many diverse people.

The exhibition is part of the 2024 Diesel x Tom of Finland Foundation Pride program supported by Diesel. Following the Tom of Finland Art & Culture Festival at Halle am Berghain in Berlin, a presentation and discussion on Fire Island, New York, Pride events in Helsinki and ToFF’s emerging artist contest. Through this initiative, Diesel appreciates and applauds Tom of Finland Foundation for providing the artist community with a unique space for openness, freedom and love, and for the tremendous social and cultural impact it has had.

TOM OF FINLAND Leather Geared, 1987/2007, Fine art print, © 1987 Tom of Finland Foundation

In addition to the artworks on display and for sale at the Forty Years of Pride exhibition, the venue will also sell artist-related merchandise and the 2024 Diesel x Tom of Finland Foundation Pride capsule collection.

The 2024 Diesel x Tom of Finland Pride capsule collection amplifies the message of freedom of expression, sexuality and individualism that has always been a key pillar for Diesel. Specifically designed to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community, the capsule features the work of multiple international artists reflecting important voices from Tom of Finland Foundation’s four decades of preserving the work of queer artists.

Supported by Donkey Hotel Ltd., Peachy Kings, Be Rise Co., Ltd., Horiuchi Color Co., Ltd, Akihiro Nakamura Frame of Mind, Embassy of Finland in Japan

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